RETRACTS EXPLAINED

Information regarding the use of retracts

What makes Down and Locked different from other electric retracts out there?

We use a much more advanced CPU based system to control the actuators than any of the other manufacturers. Our systems not only know exactly where they are in the operation cycle, but also works in a voltage regulated environment to provide reliability and consistency, with the added benefit of protecting your receiver from excessive current draws.

Electric retracts are more reliable than air and needs no maintenance when normally used. Air retracts rely on pressurized air and the seals and tubing will perish with age and use, which could at any time cause a failure.

So why have you or others you know had retract failures on other manufacturers electric units in the past

a. Most systems that plug directly into the receiver, incorporate frail basic controller circuitry into the retract unit. It is impossible due to space restrictions, to have a proper CPU based controller system which can handle over-current and abnormal situations in a retract unit.

b. Regular voltage trigger systems cannot determine when there's a false trigger signal from abnormal conditions often experienced with twist & turn retracts when the plane's speed is already too high or in turbulent weather conditions

c. They use plastic components which wear out and will then be responsible for many other reliability issues

Suitable for use with 15-45 sized planes, Compact will fit or replace Hobbyking small retracts and Regular 30 will fit or replace E-flite 15-25 sized units. Cycle time is 4 seconds adding more scale realism to your plane.

Suitable for use in 240+ sized planes and Jets weighing 35-50+Lbs (17-25+Kg), will fit and replace similar sized Robart and Sierra Giant scale retracts. Cycle times are 9-10 seconds adding more scale realism to your plane.